Patents by Inventor David Eric Berkstresser

David Eric Berkstresser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9462921
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, especially beneficial for fabrication systems using silicon wafer carried on trays. Removal of broken wafers and particles from within the fabrication system is enabled without requiring disassembly of the system and without requiring manual labor. A placing mechanism moves a suction head to location of the broken substrate and a suction pump coupled to a flexible hose is used to remove the broken pieces. A hood is positioned at the inlet of the suction head, and setback extensions are provided at the bottom of the hood to allow air flow into the inlet and prevent thermal conductance from the tray to the hood. Pins are extendable about the inlet of the suction head to enable breakage of the wafer to smaller pieces for easy removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ORBOTECH LT SOLAR, LLC.
    Inventors: Craig Lyle Stevens, David Eric Berkstresser, Wendell Thomas Blonigan
  • Patent number: 9287152
    Abstract: A method for auto-sequencing of plasma processing system for concurrent processing of several substrates. The method autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The method moves two substrate trays together into the processing chamber for substrate exchange, and remove the trays from the chamber one at a time. When needed, the method moves one tray into the processing chamber for removal of the susceptor without exposing the chamber to atmospheric environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ORBOTECH LT SOLAR, LLC.
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas Blonigan, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens
  • Patent number: 8672603
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Orbotech LT Solar, LLC.
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas Blonigan, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens
  • Publication number: 20130294678
    Abstract: A method for auto-sequencing of plasma processing system for concurrent processing of several substrates. The method autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The method moves two substrate trays together into the processing chamber for substrate exchange, and remove the trays from the chamber one at a time. When needed, the method moves one tray into the processing chamber for removal of the susceptor without exposing the chamber to atmospheric environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Orbotech LT Solar, LLC.
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas Blonigan, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens
  • Publication number: 20130269149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, especially beneficial for fabrication systems using silicon wafer carried on trays. Removal of broken wafers and particles from within the fabrication system is enabled without requiring disassembly of the system and without requiring manual labor. A placing mechanism moves a suction head to location of the broken substrate and a suction pump coupled to a flexible hose is used to remove the broken pieces. A hood is positioned at the inlet of the suction head, and setback extensions are provided at the bottom of the hood to allow air flow into the inlet and prevent thermal conductance from the tray to the hood. Pins are extendable about the inlet of the suction head to enable breakage of the wafer to smaller pieces for easy removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Lyle Stevens, David Eric Berkstresser, Wendell Thomas Blonigan
  • Patent number: 8459276
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, for fabrication systems using silicon wafers. A placing mechanism moves a suction head to a location of the broken substrate and a suction pump coupled to a flexible hose is used to remove the broken pieces. A hood is positioned at the inlet of the suction head, and setback extensions are provided at the bottom of the hood to allow air flow into the inlet and prevent thermal conductance from the tray to the hood. Pins are extendable about the inlet of the suction head to enable breakage of the substrate to smaller pieces for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Orbotech LT Solar, LLC.
    Inventors: Craig Lyle Stevens, David Eric Berkstresser, Wendell Thomas Blonigan
  • Patent number: 8444364
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Orbotech LT Solar, LLC.
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas Blonigan, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120298141
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, especially beneficial for fabrication systems using silicon wafer carried on trays. Removal of broken wafers and particles from within the fabrication system is enabled without requiring disassembly of the system and without requiring manual labor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Craig Lyle STEVENS, David Eric Berkstresser, Wendell Thomas Blonigan
  • Publication number: 20110142573
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas BLONIGAN, Masato TOSHIMA, Kam S. LAW, David Eric BERKSTRESSER, Steve KLEINKE, Craig Lyle STEVENS
  • Publication number: 20110142572
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Wendell Thomas BLONIGAN, Masato Toshima, Kam S. Law, David Eric Berkstresser, Steve Kleinke, Craig Lyle Stevens